Gujarat judge recuses from Ravi Nair's bail hearing
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 7 November 2026 | JP Asia Desk
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On Nov 6 a Gujarat High Court judge recused himself from hearing independent journalist Ravi Nair's plea for protection from arrest in a cheating and forgery case tied to his Adani reporting, leaving the anticipatory bail request unresolved and pending reassignment.Summary
AHMEDABAD — A Gujarat High Court judge on November 6 recused himself from hearing independent journalist Ravi Nair's application for protection from arrest in a cheating and forgery case linked to his investigative reporting on the Adani Group. The withdrawal leaves his anticipatory bail request unresolved.
Justice Sanjeev J Thaker declined to hear the application after asking whether the case also involved defamation. According to LiveLaw, he recorded the brief order, "Not before me," without giving a reason. The matter will require reassignment to another bench, and the recusal does not amount to a ruling on Nair's bail application.
Dispute over documents and police investigation
The case originates from an October 2025 Washington Post investigation co-authored by Nair and Pranshu Verma concerning a proposed $3.9 billion investment in Adani Group companies by the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). After LIC disputed the reporting, Nair allegedly posted screenshots of documents that Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone subsequently claimed were fabricated.
Following a complaint lodged in November 2025, Ahmedabad police registered a first information report in May 2026 under provisions covering cheating and forgery. Nair disputes the allegations and argues that investigators already possess the relevant documents, making custodial interrogation unnecessary. The authenticity of the disputed material remains a matter for investigation and judicial determination.
Earlier bail refusal and separate proceedings
An Ahmedabad sessions court rejected Nair's anticipatory bail application on October 23, citing concerns about his cooperation with investigators. Nair maintains that he appeared before the investigating officer on July 21 and that medical treatment in Kerala prevented him from attending on certain other dates. His petition also challenges the inclusion of a non-bailable cheating provision.
The November 6 recusal follows another judicial withdrawal involving the journalist. On October 13, Gujarat High Court Justice S. V. Pinto recused herself from hearing Nair's application concerning additional evidence in a separate criminal defamation case brought by Adani Enterprises. Neither judge publicly specified a reason for withdrawing.
In that separate case, Nair was convicted in February 2026 and sentenced to one year in prison. The sentence was suspended pending appeal. He was subsequently arrested in September following a non-bailable warrant connected with the defamation proceedings and granted regular bail on September 24. Those proceedings remain distinct from the current cheating and forgery investigation.
The cases have raised wider questions about the legal pressures facing investigative journalists reporting on powerful corporate interests. Police searches of Nair's residences and the seizure of electronic devices have also drawn criticism from media organizations, including DIGIPUB, which expressed concern about the implications for journalistic work.
The immediate question before the Gujarat High Court remains whether Nair should receive protection from arrest while the police investigation continues. The latest recusal has delayed consideration of that request without resolving either the allegations against him or his arguments for bail.
ATTRIBUTION: Based on reporting by The Indian Express, LiveLaw and Bar and Bench (November 6, 2026), with additional background from The Times of India, The Indian Express and LiveLaw (September–October 2026).
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.
Key Points
- On Nov 6 a Gujarat High Court judge declined to hear Ravi Nair's anticipatory bail plea and recused himself.
- The judge recorded the brief order "Not before me" without giving a reason.
- The case stems from an October 2025 Washington Post investigation co‑authored by Nair and disputes over documents.
- Ahmedabad police filed an FIR in May 2026 under provisions covering cheating and forgery after a complaint in November 2025.
- Nair denies the allegations, says investigators already have the documents, and the authenticity is for investigation and courts to determine.
Key Questions & Answers
Why did the judge recuse himself?
The judge recorded a brief order saying "Not before me" and declined to hear the matter; no detailed reason was given and the case will be reassigned to another bench.
What is the case about?
The matter relates to alleged cheating and forgery over documents linked to reporting by journalist Ravi Nair on the Adani Group following an October 2025 Washington Post investigation.
Has any arrest been made?
No arrest has been reported here; Nair sought protection from arrest via anticipatory bail, which remains unresolved after the recusal and needs reassignment.
What are the next steps?
The high court will reassign the application to another bench for hearing; the authenticity of the disputed material remains subject to police investigation and judicial determination.
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